News Headline
After 3 years, 3 months and 3 days it’s a wrap at Discovery for Megha Tata
Mumbai: Megha Tata parts ways with Discovery as managing director of South Asia ending an association that lasted three years, three months and three days.
The announcement of her departure was first made by Warner Bros. Discovery president and managing director India, Southeast Asia and Korea Clement Schwebig in June.
“After 3 years, 3 months, 3 days it’s a wrap! Leave with many happy memories and proud of what we achieved as a team in the country. Amongst the many milestones we achieved, successfully launching #discoveryplus in the middle of the pandemic was a class act by the super talented team I have had the privilege to lead! Thank you to my super awesome team for helping me grow professionally and personally. A special mention to Simon Robinson without whose support and trust I couldn’t have done what I did! Onwards and upwards,” said Tata in a LinkedIn post.
Tata is a TV broadcast industry veteran with over three decades of experience. She has been associated with leading broadcasters including Star India, Turner International, HBO India, BTVI before joining Discovery.
She leads several industry forums and is the president of International Advertising Association (IAA) India Chapter. She is on the board of Indian Broadcasting and Digital Foundation as co-opted director. She is also a broad-member of the National Media and Entertainment Committee of FICCI and member of CII National Committee on Media and Entertainment.
Tata has been a Jury member of many leading industry awards like International Emmys, Promax, Children’s Film Festival, Golden Mikes Awards, International Women in Sales Awards and many more.
Besides being involved in industry initiatives, she has been engaging and shaping young minds through guest lectures at leading educational institutes including IIT, IIM, ISB, UBS and more.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
